Green Group to monitor Paris Garden

Paris Garden alongside Hatfields is due to be covered with two pitches following the recent Southwark planning decision. However, the residents who formed the green opposition group intend monitoring current work as well as continuing working for it to be a managed green space.

The successful planning application was made by the Colombo Street Sports and Community Centre, the non-profit making organisation, which aims to provide safe, affordable and accessible space for sports and leisure activities.

"This area is right at the heart of a Health and Sports Action Zone," says Colombo Street chair Scott Rice. "The aim of the scheme is to develop an area to promote structured and managed outdoor sports, such as tennis and basketball. This scheme will be carefully managed to ensure that the community are the driving force behind its use."

There are plans to offer free time for local use on the pitches which have been long planned by Colombo Street but were delayed until finance became available.

"Whilst there was a small, vocal group of residents who wished to see the site used for other purposes there was a significant number of others who supported the scheme," says Scott Rice. "The recent MORI survey showed that local people do want sports and fitness provision."

"Paris Garden is an exciting scheme that will enrich the lives of local children and adults alike. As part of the Colombo Centre it will offer fitness and friendship in an area so desperately lacking in sports provision."